Belarus Power Retail Forum

Unique retail opportunities opening in Belarus

Belarus is becoming a promising platform for international retailers. Consumer spending is rising with the country’s commercial powerhouse, Minsk, producing 40 percent of the country’s GDP alone.

As the economy grows and more disposable income is generated, the people of Minsk are becoming more brand aware and have a growing appetite for international brands. Due to the current lack of fashion brands represented locally, Minsk suffers from retail tourism. Its demanding and mobile residents travel to more advanced retail destinations, such as Warsaw, Vilnius, and Moscow.

Recent research has shown that the population of Minsk spends over €170 million in Vilnius alone on branded fashion products. With an estimated €400 million gross being leaked out of the economy of Minsk each year, specifically on fashion goods.

However, it is still not high on the agendas’ of international retailers as an area for expansion and growth, but this is gradually changing.

Belarus Council of Shopping Centers (BSCS.by) with international publisher EuropaProperty. com is hosting their annual “Belarus Retail Forum” on September 27th at the Marriott Hotel in Minsk. Already confirmed are 50 local, regional and international retailers, with many more planning to attend.

The forum starts after lunch with opening remarks from our key note speaker (an international expert in retail) and continues with three dynamic discussion panels lead by the most active local and regional retailers.

Program

13:00 – 13:30

Key note speaker

13:30 – 14:30

“Meet the Retailers” – participate in a discussion with six retail expansion directors. Where are the tenant opportunities? What new retailers are coming to Belarus? Which ones are actively seeking to expand? What types of retailers are still needed? What new locations will they be looking for, and will they succeed?

“Location! Location! Location!” – How attractive is the current retail- development stock? What is in the pipeline, and are there enough prime locations for retailers to enter the market? Are we going to see an increase in development?

Panelists:Serdar Ersoy, Vice President-CGO, De Facto

16:30

Cocktails and networking

Attending – ticket prices 495 USD

Retailers that are part of the BCSC have complimentary entrance (non-members 250 euro)